In a similar mindset; had my 2013 Bianchi wrote off and without going into massive detail a new for old replacement is approx 3.4k which either the group representing me can supply a new bike or I can accept the 3.4k later alongside personal injury. At first I was excited at the thought of a modern Bianchi, Ultegra di2, disc brakes etc then I look at maintenance of hydraulics or even needing to do a bleed for something as simple as a stem change etc. Was in the shop looking at bikes of that value recently, Giant TCR's, Defy's etc - all nice bits of kit but nothing I thought was really exciting. I'm leaning towards something semi modern ie Ultegra di2 rim group, carbon wheelset from Elite/lightbicycle/etc that seem to be popular and building up something like an older Supersix evo, SL5, maybe even a CAAD10 or similar. Semi internal routing and preferably external BB would be ideal, plenty time for research still. Obviously we don't hold the same preferences for bike construction but I think everyone agrees pulling a bike out of the box will never be the same type of enjoyment as building it piece by piece.
The last road bike you'll ever buy ..
- Thread starter Canuk
- Start date
In a similar mindset; had my 2013 Bianchi wrote off and without going into massive detail a new for old replacement is approx 3.4k which either the group representing me can supply a new bike or I can accept the 3.4k later alongside personal injury. At first I was excited at the thought of a modern Bianchi, Ultegra di2, disc brakes etc then I look at maintenance of hydraulics or even needing to do a bleed for something as simple as a stem change etc. Was in the shop looking at bikes of that value recently, Giant TCR's, Defy's etc - all nice bits of kit but nothing I thought was really exciting. I'm leaning towards something semi modern ie Ultegra di2 rim group, carbon wheelset from Elite/lightbicycle/etc that seem to be popular and building up something like an older Supersix evo, SL5, maybe even a CAAD10 or similar. Semi internal routing and preferably external BB would be ideal, plenty time for research still. Obviously we don't hold the same preferences for bike construction but I think everyone agrees pulling a bike out of the box will never be the same type of enjoyment as building it piece by piece.
zerogravitas
Senior Retro Guru
The bikes you mention are all in real a sweet spot for almost all the good things modern bikes have to offer without headset cable routing nonsense, press fit BBs everywhere etc. You just miss out on disc brakes and the option to fit wider tyres for more comfort.
Here is my much upgraded Cervelo Soloist Carbon from 2008. Very aero frame that more than holds its own in all the fast club riding I do. I built these wheels a year or so ago with Lightbicycle rims on DT Swiss 240 hubs and highly reccomend Lightbicycle for the quality of their carbon product.
I have thought on and off about getting a newer S5 or similar, but with this... the BB is BSA, the cables run semi internally but are easy to maintain, 10 speed Red just works beautifully, so its hard to justify! The only thing I would like from whatever comes next in the 'modern' end of my stable is to be able to run 28-30mm tyres.
Here is my much upgraded Cervelo Soloist Carbon from 2008. Very aero frame that more than holds its own in all the fast club riding I do. I built these wheels a year or so ago with Lightbicycle rims on DT Swiss 240 hubs and highly reccomend Lightbicycle for the quality of their carbon product.
I have thought on and off about getting a newer S5 or similar, but with this... the BB is BSA, the cables run semi internally but are easy to maintain, 10 speed Red just works beautifully, so its hard to justify! The only thing I would like from whatever comes next in the 'modern' end of my stable is to be able to run 28-30mm tyres.
Ecurie Peril
Raleigh Fan
That is almost perfect from a modern perspective. Fast, light, efficient without the spectre of a modern maintenance headache for hydraulics and electronics. It also looks like it is flying when it is standing still!
Helmut Head
Dirt Disciple
That's a big thumbs up from me - and I'm willing to bet that no one on this forum would pass up the chance to buy "another" dream bike if it was the right price.The idea of the final bike is a flawed concept to me. I hope to be scratching around the usual suspect websites, bike jumbles and recycling centres till I kark it, on the lookout for nags. If I lost my knees, my lungs, my joints....I would probably still be on the hunt for those steeds all you 'no thank you I have my final bike' types haven't bought. I would fix them up and bore my children to death about how great they were and how they're a family heirloom.
Al lI can say to you white flag waving, no more bikes surrender monkeys is enjoy retirement! Less competition for old bikes then! I and others will take care of things from here
Mark Manley
Raleigh Fan
My 708 Royal which is the same frame as the Randonneur came with the original build card which says Raleigh Special Products Division on it along with a photo of the chap who built it so I would say yes. It is a great frame that handles well even when fully loaded, I have just aquired a Randonneur frame in need of some TLC but that is for another time, probably next year.
On the basis that the ideal number of bikes is n+1 I just picked up a Royal 531 frame, who knows - perhaps it will be the last road bike I buy
On the other hand...
Actually to be fair I need to move a couple on to make room in the herd so will probably put up a couple of karma posts for Ribble (653) and Claud Butler (631) road frames next week.
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